I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust read more

I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious
predecessor.

Happy thou that learnest from another's griefs, not to subject
thyself to the same.
[Lat., Felix quicumque dolore read more

Happy thou that learnest from another's griefs, not to subject
thyself to the same.
[Lat., Felix quicumque dolore alterius disces posse cavere tuo.]

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.

If any man claims the Negro should be content ... let him say he would willingly change the color of read more

If any man claims the Negro should be content ... let him say he would willingly change the color of his skin and go to live in the Negro section of a large city. Then and only then has he a right to such a claim.

I do not give you to posterity as a pattern to imitate, but as an
example to deter.

I do not give you to posterity as a pattern to imitate, but as an
example to deter.

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no read more

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.

If you must hold yourself up to your children as an object lesson, hold yourself up as a warning and read more

If you must hold yourself up to your children as an object lesson, hold yourself up as a warning and not as an example.

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others;
it is the only means.

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others;
it is the only means.

Example is a dangerous lure: where the wasp got through the gnat
sticks fast.
[Fr., L'exemple est un read more

Example is a dangerous lure: where the wasp got through the gnat
sticks fast.
[Fr., L'exemple est un dangereux leurre;
Ou la guepe a passe, le moucheron demeure.]